At the beginning of July, the Council launched a 12-week consultation into proposals designed to regenerate the East Bank and help give it greater connectivity to the city centre.

The aim of the consultation, and the resulting strategy is to inform planning and investment decisions that will impact the long-term development of this area, which comprises 43 acres with a long frontage of 865 metres along the river. It runs from the SSE Arena car park at its northern end to the Sirocco Works site to the south, and is bounded by Short Strand to the east.

“The draft strategy includes six key recommendations that, if implemented, would see the East Bank fully woven into the fabric of the city centre by 2030,” commented Councillor Mairéad O’Donnell, Chair of the Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee.

“The objective would be to create an area which is lively, diverse, accessible and well-connected to the city core, the River Lagan and surrounding communities, providing places to live, work and socialise.

“To this end, four place-making themes are explored in the draft strategy. These include maximising the potential of development sites across the area; energising the River Lagan corridor; creating a connected and legible East Bank and making streets and spaces for people.”

Among the options which the Council is putting forward for discussion in the draft strategy is significant rationalisation of road and rail infrastructure in the area, to create a sustainable transport corridor at Bridge End. The proposed changes include the removal of the Station Street flyover adjacent to Queen’s Quay (which already has planning consent); the removal of the Bridge End flyover; the reduction of road space for general traffic and the proposed relocation of the Titanic Quarter railway station.

In addition to the five drop in sessions, there are a number of other ways to take part in the consultation. Feedback can be submitted via an online questionnaire at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/consultations. Submissions can also be made by email to invest@belfastcity.gov.uk or in writing to the City Centre Development Team, Chief Executive’s Department, Belfast City Council, c/o Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP.

An exhibition summarising the strategy also will be at the Council’s Cecil Ward Building in Linenhall Street during normal office hours (8.30am - 5pm, Monday – Friday) until the 29 September closing date.